Rathbass1

Hello all. Just had a quick question on everyone's thoughts regarding the amount of loans required to take out to attend a university in comparison to the quality of education, prestige, potential networking, etc.

I am a history major, finishing up my second year at a local community college. I am aspiring to be involved in the field of Public History, and I have been accepted at James Madison University (24K) - who provides a B.S. in Public History.

I have also been accepted at SIU-Carbondale (10K), and I am waiting on Maryland(28K), Virginia(40K), and U of I(18K).

Here is my concern and point of confusion. Assuming that I only have two years left at each university, and assuming that I would have to take most (if not all) of the money out in loans, what would be the best compromise of cost and quality? I'm not necessarily looking for a specific answer, just thoughts.

I plan on going to graduate school, so would I be better served (financially) going to SIUC, excelling, and getting into a solid master's program at a top university? Or would I be better served spending more money, excelling, having more debt, but a potentially better education? I hope that I am making my question clear, as these thoughts are swimming in my head, and my water wings are barely keeping me afloat.

Logos

Go to UIUC. D:

Caillebotte

There isn't too much difference in cost between UIUC and SIU. Go to U of I, it's the best combo of affordability and education.

Rathbass1

Let me ask this as a follow up - would James Madison be a big step down in quality/prestige in comparison to U of I?

I live in Illinois, and would like to travel out of state. It's not mandatory, but a mid level desire - behind affordability and quality, of course.

What about the cost comparison of SIUC and JMU? To be honest, U of I, MD, and VA have not accepted me as of yet, so I may not get into these universities.

Lastly, if I get accepted to VA, is it simply not worth the cost?

Student35

Why will you have to take out all of the cost on student loans? Will you not get any financial aid at all?

Wow, I didn't know UVA was so expensive. If it came down to SIU and UIUC, I would definitely be heading to Champaign (academically speaking). I don't know a whole lot about Maryland or JMU, but UVA for history would probably be my top choice (if money wasn't a deal-breaker) out of the five.

crs1909

^UVAs sticker price is expensive, but there's a good chance that you'll get a very good financial aid package because UVA meets 100% of dmonstrated need


Rankings for 100 Best Values in Public Colleges

Rathbass1

I will probably get some financial aid, but have no idea how much that could be - and while it is true that the amount of aid I receive will influence the decision, I'm somewhat looking at "worse case scenario". As I haven't heard from some schools, I'm not sure how much aid I would recieve - also, I'm in Illinois, and I've read where OOS do not receive as much aid as in state kids.

Even if I receive 50% of costs at financial aid at all schools, the question I guess I am asking (and I don't like to make members speculate, as I know it depends on many other personal factors) is would attending U of I, paying 10K a year, be better off than spending 20K a year at Virginia, or 13K a year at JMU? It is my decision, and I don't want this to become a cheerleading competition between schools; I guess my problem is that I am having a hard time comparing imposed costs vs. quality of education/earning potential.

I don't want to pay 10K-20K more a year if it's not going to do much for me. I'm 28 years old, I have travelled a lot, and while education out of state is attractive, it's not mandatory.

But I don't want to go to U of I to save money if spending said money would be worthwhile in attending UVA. Maybe I am asking for responses like "UVA rocks dude." But I reckon that's okay. : )

Maybe another way to ask is, would you take on 100K of debt and go to Princeton, or spend 15K and go to SIUC, then hope to get into a decent graduate school?

Or, maybe I'm just dwelling and venting - which is most likely.

CCG

Does UVA meet 100% need for transfers too????

burgler09

The prestige of your undergraduate school does not have much bearing- if any, on the admissions of graduate programs. The important thing you shoudl be considering the amount of opportunity you will be receiving such as research, amount of exposure to your major and different internships. It isn't about prestige its about what you do and what you accomplish at the university you choose. Go where you feel has the best fit, you already have two years of CC so you only have another 2 years.

crs1909

Yeah, UVA meets 100% need for transfers...

http://www.virginia.edu/accessuva/learn.html